Adaptable inline fluid heating system

ABSTRACT

An adaptable fluid heating system includes a reservoir and an inline heating loop. The reservoir holds a fluid such as lubricant oil. The adaptable fluid heating system includes an inline heating loop, the inline heating loop fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The inline heating loop includes a circulation pump and an inline heater. The circulation pump circulates fluid from the reservoir through the inline heater and back into the reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a nonprovisional application which claims priority from U.S. provisional application number 63/393,297, filed Jul. 29, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD/FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to thermal management systems for engines, and specifically to heating systems for engine fluids.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Fluid-lubricated systems may not be operable below a certain temperature range. Below this range, fluids such as oil may not have the necessary properties to properly facilitate lubrication and other functions within the engine. Accordingly, fluid-lubricated systems and the fluids therein must be warmed to an operating temperature. Typically, oil and other fluids are warmed using immersion heaters positioned in the respective reservoir to bring the fluids to acceptable operating temperatures. Often, a typical immersion heater may not be sufficient to heat the fluid to the required temperature in a safe, reliable, and timely manner and adverse effects follow. For example, sump pumps may cavitate due to thick oil, subsequently overloading the motor and tripping the associated breaker. Typically, to prevent the effects of cold/thick oil, heaters are placed adjacent and external to the system to heat the fluid-lubricated system itself, and therefore, eventually the oil.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides for an adaptable fluid heating system. The adaptable fluid heating system may include a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid. The adaptable fluid heating system may include an inline heating loop, the inline heating loop fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The inline heating loop may include a circulation pump, and an inline heater.

The present disclosure also provides for a method. The method may include providing an adaptable fluid heating system. The adaptable fluid heating system may include a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid. The adaptable fluid heating system may include an inline heating loop, the inline heating loop fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The inline heating loop may include a circulation pump and an inline heater. The method may include engaging the circulation pump, pumping fluid from the reservoir through the inline heating loop, heating the fluid passing through the inline heating loop with the inline heater, and returning the heated fluid to the reservoir.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an adaptable fluid heating system consistent with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an adaptable fluid heating system consistent with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of various embodiments. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

FIG. 1 depicts adaptable fluid heating system 100 consistent with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Adaptable fluid heating system 100 may be positioned to and operable to heat fluid 10 for use with an engine. Fluid 10 may be, for example and without limitation, oil. Fluid 10 may be kept in reservoir 101 and may be circulated to the engine from reservoir 101. Reservoir 101 may be a sump or a tank. In some embodiments, reservoir 101 may include immersion heater 103 positioned to directly heat fluid 10 within reservoir 101. However, in certain instances, immersion heater 103 may be insufficient to properly and thoroughly heat fluid 10 within reservoir 101 to an acceptable operating temperature.

In some embodiments, reservoir 101 may include temperature sensor 105 positioned to measure the temperature of fluid 10 within reservoir 101. Additional temperature sensors may be positioned elsewhere in the fluid-lubricated system to which adaptable fluid heating system 100 is coupled.

In some embodiments, adaptable fluid heating system 100 may include inline heating loop 107. Inline heating loop 107 may be positioned to receive fluid 10 from reservoir 101, heat fluid 10 passing therethrough, and return heated fluid l0 a to reservoir 101, whereupon mixing of heated fluid l0 a with fluid 10 within reservoir 101 may raise the overall temperature of fluid 10 within reservoir 101 as discussed below.

In some such embodiments, inline heating loop 107 may include circulation pump 109. Circulation pump 109 may be driven by circulation motor 111 and may pump fluid 10 from reservoir 101 through inline heating loop 107. In some embodiments, circulation motor 111 may be driven by variable frequency drive 113. In other embodiments, circulation motor 111 may be a hydraulically driven motor. Inline heating loop 107 may include a flow meter positioned to measure the rate of fluid flow through inline heating loop 107.

Inline heating loop 107 may include inline heater 115. Inline heater 115 may be positioned to heat fluid 10 as it passes therethrough. Inline heater 115 may be electrically operated and, as such, may include one or more heating elements 117 positioned to provide heat to fluid 10 as it passes by heating elements 117 to generate heated fluid 10a. Once heated by inline heater 115, heated fluid l0a may be returned to reservoir 101.

In some embodiments, inline heating loop 107 may include suction manifold 119 coupled to reservoir 101 at the point at which fluid exits reservoir 101 to enter inline heating loop 107. In some such embodiments, suction manifold 119 may incorporate or may be located adjacent to immersion heater 103, such that immersion heater 103 provides enough heating to fluid 10 for fluid 10 to be pumped into and through inline heating loop 107.

In some embodiments, immersion heater 103, circulation motor 111 (and thus circulation pump 109), and inline heater 115 may be controlled by controller 121. Controller 121 may, for example and without limitation, determine the temperature of fluid 10 within reservoir 101 using temperature sensor 105, and cause the operation of inline heating loop 107 based on the determined temperature. For example, during startup, controller 121 may sense that the temperature of fluid within reservoir 101 is low enough that immersion heater 103 must be engaged to sufficiently reduce the viscosity of fluid 10 before starting circulation motor 111.

Once fluid 10 within reservoir 101, at least adjacent suction manifold 119, is sufficiently warm, controller 121 may engage circulation motor 111 such that circulation pump 109 pumps fluid 10 through inline heating loop 107. Engagement of inline heater 115 may then heat fluid 10 passing through inline heating loop 107. Inline heating loop 107 may be used until the temperature of fluid 10 within reservoir 101 has reached a sufficient operating temperature, at which time the fluid-lubricated system to which adaptable fluid heating system 100 is coupled may be safely operated. Inline heating loop 107 may continue to operate until a predetermined temperature is reached, at which time inline heater 115 and circulation motor 111 may be disengaged.

In some embodiments, adaptable fluid heating system 100 may include additional auxiliary heating components. For example and without limitation, adaptable fluid heating system 100 may include heat wrapping of conduits, heat recapture auxiliaries, heating elements located under and or surrounding the reservoir including but not limited to heat blankets or thermal insulator, and other components. For example, heat recapture auxiliaries may include one or more blower motors added to, for example and without limitation, circulation pump 109, circulation motor 111, or components of the fluid-lubricated system positioned to transfer heat from these components to fluid 10.

FIG. 2 is an alternate depiction of embodiments of adaptable fluid heating system 100. Additional components may be included including, for example and without limitation, one or more pressure relief valves 123, filters 125, and gauges 127. In some embodiments, adaptable fluid heating system 100 may further include inline cooling system 129, thus allowing adaptable fluid heating system 100 to provide cooling to fluid 10. In such embodiments, adaptable fluid heating system 100 may include reversing valve 131 positioned to allow fluid 10 to pass through inline heater 115 or inline cooling system 129 depending on desired operation.

In some embodiments, circulation motor 111 may also be used to drive output pump 133 to selectively provide fluid 10 to fluid-lubricated system 135.

Although described above with reference to reservoir 101, one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will understand that adaptable fluid heating system 100 may be used with tankless designs.

In some embodiments, by heating fluid 10 using inline heater 115 wherein fluid 10 is continuously circulated therethrough, problems with overheating portions of fluid 10 may be mitigated. Additionally, the forced circulation of fluid 10 may decrease the amount of time required to heat the full volume of fluid 10 within reservoir 101 without requiring the use of additional external heaters. However, in some embodiments, adaptable fluid heating system 100 may be used in conjunction with any other heating systems without deviating from the scope of this disclosure.

Furthermore, servicing of adaptable fluid heating system 100 may be simplified as reservoir 101 may remain full of fluid 10 as components of, for example and without limitation, inline heating loop 107 are serviced.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that a person of ordinary skill in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Such features may be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives, only some of which are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. One of ordinary skill in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

1. An adaptable fluid heating system comprising: a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid; an inline heating loop, the inline heating loop fluidly coupled to the reservoir, the inline heating loop including: a circulation pump; and an inline heater.
 2. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of the fluid in the reservoir.
 3. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 1, wherein the circulation pump is driven by a circulation motor.
 4. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 3, wherein the circulation motor is driven by a VFD.
 5. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 1, further comprising an immersion heater, the immersion heater positioned at a location proximate a suction inlet of the inline heating loop.
 6. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 1, further comprising a controller, the controller positioned to control the circulation pump and the inline heater.
 7. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 6, wherein the controller is adapted to determine the temperature of the reservoir and, if the temperature is below a predetermined value, operate an immersion heater before the circulation pump.
 8. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 1 further comprising heat wrapping of conduits, heat recapture auxiliaries, or heating elements located under or surrounding the reservoir.
 9. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 8, wherein the heat recapture auxiliaries are one or more blower motors added to the circulation pump or circulation motor.
 10. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 8, wherein the heat elements located under or surrounding the reservoir are heat blankets or a thermal insulator.
 11. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 1 further comprising an inline cooling system in fluid connection with the circulation pump but not the inline heater.
 12. The adaptable fluid heating system of claim 11, wherein the inline heater is separated by the circulation pump by a reversing valve.
 13. A method comprising: providing an adaptable fluid heating system, the adaptable fluid heating system comprising: a reservoir, the reservoir holding a fluid; an inline heating loop, the inline heating loop fluidly coupled to the reservoir, the inline heating loop including: a circulation pump; and an inline heater; engaging the circulation pump; pumping fluid from the reservoir through the inline heating loop; heating the fluid passing through the inline heating loop with the inline heater; and returning the heated fluid to the reservoir.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising prior to engaging the circulation pump heating the fluid in the reservoir with an immersion heater. The method of claim 14 further comprising controlling the immersion heater, the circulation pump and the inline heater with a controller.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the controller determines the temperature of the fluid within the reservoir using a temperature sensor.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising reducing the viscosity of the fluid prior to engaging the circulation pump. 